i want to study and treat mental illness. would that fall under psychiatry or clinical psychology?

Answer 1

both. A psychiatrist has an MD, followed by specialzed training in psychiatry. A clinical Psychologist has a PhD in Psychology, and had met state/provincial requirements for registation, which usually includes an exam and a year of supervized clinical training (often incorporated into a clinical doctoral program). In either case, you will be studying (after high school) for most of a decade.

Other professionals also work in the mental health field, including psychiatric nursing and social work. These areas will demand several years of post-secondary training.

There are other jobs in the mental health field which involve working with mental health clients (e.g. an attendant in a psychiatric ward, or work with a mental health agency) that might give you some experience in the field and help you decide whether you want to commit to a demanding course of professional studies.

Answer 2

Psychiatry is a medical speciality and can be taken up only by those in the profession with a minimum MB,BS degree.Clinical Psychology is normally a Psychological specialisation and Practitioners need to be Ph.D in the prfession with Clincal experience in dealing with psychiatric cases in a hospital setting. The usual practice is for the Clinical Psychologist to be available in a Psychiatrical setting as a Consultant.

Answer 3

It depends on HOW you want to treat mental illness. Psychiatrists are medical doctors that (these days) primarily prescribe medication, although a minority of them do therapy.
Clinical psychologists treat mental illness through therapy, and also conduct psychological testing.
You might want to go to the American Psychiatric Association's (www.psych.org) and the American Psychological Association's (www.apa.org) websites for more information.

Answer 4

psychiatrists are medication doctors with a specialty in Psychology.

A clinical psychologist has a degree in clinical psychology only. May or may not have a Masters and PhD

Answer 5

As I told the last person who asked a similar question, study what's left of my family. I'd say abnormal psychology.

Answer 6

If you want to prescribe medication, then you should go for Psyhiatry. Psychologists have some knowledge about medications, but I don't believe they can prescibe medicine, as they are not a medical doctor.